Suction mechanisms for yarn processing machines

ABSTRACT

Improved suction mechanisms, particularly for yarn processing machines having a plurality of spindle assemblies positioned in side-by-side relationship for the processing of yarn, as follows. Suction conduit means having a negative air stream therethrough is preferably mounted in front of the spindle assemblies and includes a plurality of apertures spaced along the length thereof for causing a suction through each of the apertures. A movable suction device, preferably in the form of a yarn knotter mechanism having pneumatic suction threading means thereon, is mounted on the conduit means for movement therealong for selectively positioning the device at a selected one of the apertures, preferably in front of a selected spindle assembly, and defining an air passageway therein, preferbly in the pneumatic threading mechanism of the yarn knotter mechanism, for mating communication with the selected aperture of the conduit means for creating a suction through the air passageway by the negative air stream in the conduit means. Continuous means is provided which covers the plurality of apertures in the conduit means not in mating relation with the suction device to prevent loss of suction in the conduit. Mechanisms are provided which cooperate with the suction device for uncovering the selected aperture for allowing the mating communication between the uncovered aperture and the air passageway of the suction device.

ttes Patent finite Franzen l l SUCTION MECHANISMS FOR YARN PROCESSINGMACHINES [75] Inventor: Gustav Franzen, Dusseldorf,

Germany [73] Assignee: Palitex Project-Company GmbII,

Krefeld, Germany [22] Filed: July 23, I973 [21] Appl. No.: 381,767

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 28, 1972 Germany 2237l26[52] U.S. Cl. 57/34 R, 57/345, 242/355, 242/356 [51 Int. Cl D0lh 15/00[58 Fieid of Search 57/56, 54 R, 34.5, 1 R; 242/355 R, 35.6 R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,908,029 ill/i959 Furst57/345 X 3.018.503 H1962 Hijiya et al. 57/56 x 3.077.3ll 2/1963 Furst242/355 R Primary Examiner-John Petrakes Auorney, Agent, or FirmParrott,Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson [57] ABSTRACT Improved suction mechanisms,particularly for yarn processing machines having a plurality of spindleassemblies positioned in side-by-side relationship for the processing ofyarn, as follows. Suction conduit means having a negative air streamtherethrough is preferably mounted in front of the spindle assembliesand includes a plurality of apertures spaced along the length thereoffor causing a suction through each of the apertures. A movable suctiondevice, preferably in the form of a yarn knotter mechanism havingpneumatic suction threading means thereon, is mounted on the conduitmeans for movement therealong for selectively positioning the device ata selected one of the apertures, preferably in front of a selectedspindle assembly, and defining an air passageway therein, preferbly inthe pneumatic threading mechanism of the yarn knotter mechanism, formating communication with the selected aperture of the conduit means forcreating a suction through the air passageway by the negative air streamin the conduit means. Continuous means is provided which covers theplurality of apertures in the conduit means not in mating relation withthe suction device to prevent loss of suction in the conduit. Mechanismsare provided which cooperate with the suction device for uncovering theselected aperture for allowing the mating communication between theuncovered aperture and the air passageway of the suction device.

13 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAIENIEflumzarsn SHEET 30? 6PAIENIEnucrzzusu sum w e PAIENIEflnmzzuan 3.842.580

' sm 6 or. e

SUCTION SOURCE Suc'no N Some/CE SUCTION MECHANISMS FOR YARN PROCESSINGMACHINES This invention relates to improved suction mechanisms,preferably for a textile yarn processing machine which preferably has ayarn knotter mechanism with pneumatic threading means.

Heretofore, apparatus has been provided for positioning a suction deviceat selected working locations for performing various working operations.However, this apparatus has not been entirely satisfactory inasmuch asthe apparatus, of necessity, was complex and presented problems withloss of suction and in providing adequate closure devices at thenon-working locations. These problems were particularly acute in yarnprocessing machines in which suction devices were re quired to beselectively positioned in front of various spindle assemblies forperforming a working operation at the selected spindle assemblylocation.

More specifically, in the operation of a textile yarn processing machinein which single ends of yarn are processed at the various spindleassembly locations on the machines, if the yarn broke forming two endsof broken yarn or if the yarn was otherwise separated, it has beencustomary to use a commercially available, portable, manually operatedknotter mechanism for piecing together or knotting together the two endsof separated yarn for further processing at the spindle assemblylocation. In the use of these portable yarn knotter mechanisms, anoperator would customarily bring the knotter mechanism to the spindleassembly and hold the yarn knotter mechanism, while inserting twoseparated ends of yarn into the mechanism for manually operating theknotter mechanism to knot the two ends of yarn. Thus, the knottingprocedure required the operator to hold the knotting mechanism whilegripping and placing both of the separated ends of yarn into themechanism, requiring the operator to exert a grip at three places, forwhich, however, only two hands are at the operators disposal.

Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to overcome the abovedeficiencies of prior suction devices required to be selectivelypositioned at various working locations, particularly at selectedspindle assemblies of the yarn processing machine and to provide suctiondevices, particularly a suction or pneumatic threading mechanism of ayarn knotter device which may be selectively positioned at the desiredworking location and preferably at a selected spindle assembly of a yarnprocessing machine.

It has been found by this invention that the above object may beaccomplished by providing suction apparatus comprising, in combination,elongate, stationary, suction conduit means having a negative air streamtherethrough. The conduit means includes a plurality of apertures spacedalong the length thereof for causing a suction through each of theapertures. A movable suction device is provided which includes meansmounting the suction device on the conduit means for movement therealongfor selectively positioning the device at a selected one of theapertures and defining an air passageway therein for matingcommunication with the selected aperture of the conduit means forcreating a suction through the air passageway of the device by thenegative air stream in the conduit means. Continuous means is providedcovering the plurality of apertures in the conduit means not in matingrelation with the suction device to prevent loss of suction in theconduit means. Means cooperating with the suction device is provided foruncovering the selected aperture for allowing the mating communicationbetween the uncovered aperture and the air passageway of the suctiondevice.

Preferably, the means mounting the suction device comprises a carriagemechanism carrying the suction device and mounted on the conduit formovement therealong and the means covering the plurality of aperturescomprises an elongate flexible belt secured at its ends to the ends ofthe conduit and positioned to overlie and engage the apertures of theconduit. The suction device carriage mechanism includes means engagingand moving the belt away from the selected aperture when the suctionmechanism and the carriage are moved to the selected aperture.

Preferably, the improved suction apparatus of this invention is utilizedin a yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinning frame or thelike, having a plurality of spindle assemblies positioned inside-by-side relationship for the processing of yarn. The suctionconduit is mounted on the yarn processing machine and extends generallyhorizontally along the front of the spindle assemblies and the aperturesin the suction conduit means are positioned in front of each of thespindle assemblies. The suction device is in the form of a yarn knottermechanism for knotting together two ends of broken or otherwiseseparated yarn and includes suction threading means for matingcommunication with the aperture of the conduit means at the selectedspindle assembly. The yarn knotter mechanism is mounted for generallyhorizontal movement along the conduit means for positioning thereof infront of the selected spindle assembly for a yarn knotting operation.When the pneumatic threading means of the yarn knotting mechanism is inmating relation with the aperture at the selected spindle assembly, asuction is created through the threading means by the negative airstream in the conduit for pulling and threading the separated yarn endsat the selected spindle assembly into and through the knotter mechanism.

If the yarn processing machine includes means opera tively connectedwith each of the spindle assemblies for selectively stopping andstarting operation of the respective spindle assemblies, it has beenfound preferable by this invention for each spindle assembly to includeactuating means operatively connected with the respective control meansand for the yarn knotter mechanism to include cooperating actuatingmeans for actuating the selected spindle assembly actuating means for inturn actuating the control means to stop operation of the respectivespindle assembly for yarn knotting operation. The spindle assemblyactuating means is also responsive to deactuation of the knottermechanism actuating means for actuating the control means to startoperation of the respective spindle assembly means for a yarn processingoperation.

Also, if the yarn processing machine includes pneumatically-operatedyarn threading means operatively associated with each of the spindleassemblies for selectively threading a yarn end through at least aportion of each of the spindle assemblies, it has been found by thisinvention to be preferable for the spindle assembly actuating means tobe operatively connected with the respective pneumatic threading meansfor starting operation thereof when the yarn knotter actuating meansactuates the spindle assembly actuating means. Likewise, the pneumaticthreading means will be deactuated when the knotter mechanism actuatingmeans deactuates the spindle assembly actuating means to stop thepneumatic threading operation.

Some of the objects and advantages of this invention having been stated,other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds,when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG.1 is a partial perspective view taken generally from the front of aportion of a two-for-one twister yarn processing machine including aplurality of spindle assemblies and having the improved apparatus ofthis invention thereon;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of a portion of theimproved apparatus of this invention, i.e. a yarn knotter mechanism withpneumatic threading means, positioned at one of the spindle assembliesof the two-for-one twister of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken generally along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the improved apparatus of thisinvention, generally as shown in FIG. 2, mounted at one spindle assemblyof the two-for-one twister shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view, like FIG. 4, of a slightly modified form of theapparatus according to this invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic, front elevational, sectional view, with partsomitted, illustrating one form of apparatus according to this invention;

FIG. 7 is a view, like FIG. 6, illustrating a modified form of apparatusaccording to this invention; and

FIG. 8 is a view, like FIGS. 6 and 7, illustrating a further modifiedform of apparatus according to this invention.

While the drawings and specific description to follow will be related toa two-for-one twister having a yarn knotting mechanism, which is thepreferred form of apparatus utilizing the improvements of thisinvention, it is to be understood that the improvements of thisinvention could also be utilized on other machines and other yarnprocessing machines. By the same token, while the drawings and specificdescription to follow, will be directed to a yarn knotter mechanismhaving improved suction threading means thereon as the suction device inaccordance with this invention, it is to be understood that the othersuction devices for performing specific work functions at desired,selected locations, could be constructed in accordance with thisinvention.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1, a portion of atwo-for-one twister yarn processing machine having a pluralty of spindleassemblies, generally indicated at 10, positioned in side-by-siderelationship.

A full illustration and description of the entire twofor-one twisteryarn processing machines and the various spindle assemblies 10 thereofis not given herein and is not believed to be necessary for anunderstanding of the present invention, the operation and structure ofsuch a two-for-one twister yarn processing machine and the plurality ofspindle assemblies thereof being well understood by those with ordinaryskill in the art.

Generally, each of the spindle assemblies 10, which are conventionallymounted in side-by-side relationship in a two-for-one twister, comprisesa rotatably driven rotor mechanism, generally indicated at II. The rotormechanism 11 includes a whorl 12 suitably rotatably mounted on thetwister frame portion 13 and rotated by a continuous drive belt 14. Therotor mechanism I1 further includes a horizontally extending reservedisc device 16 (see FIG. 3) secured to the whorl 12 for being driventhereby and a generally vertically extending hollow axle device 17. Thereserve disc 16 and hollow axle 17 define therewithin a verticallyextending yarn passageway (not shown) and a horizontally extending yarnpassageway mating with each other.

The spindle assembly 10 further includes a yarn carrier mechanism 25 forcarrying a hollow package P of yarn Y and being rotatably mounted on therotor mechanism 11 so that the rotor mechanism may rotate relativethereto. The carrier mechanism 25 includes a basket device 26 whichsurrounds the package P of yarn Y and is rotatably mounted so that thehollow axle 17 may rotate relative thereto. The carrier mechanism 25 mayinclude a yarn entry tube 30.

The spindle assembly 10 further includes a balloon limitor device 33surrounding the basket device 26. A yarn guide eyelet 40 is positionedabove and in axial alignment with the hollow axle l7 and the yarn entrytube 30. There is further provided a pre-take-up roll 42, a yarntraversing mechanism 43, and a take-up or package roll 44, upon whichthe yarn Y is wound after being processed or twisted by the spindleassembly 10. The package roll 44 is rotated by a friction drive roll 45.

With the above described mechanisms, the yarn Y passes from the packageP and is threaded through the yarn entry tube 30, through the yarnpassageway of the hollow-axle device 17 and the reserve disc 16 and outof the reserve disc 16 in a horizontal direction (as shownin FIG. 3).The yarn Y then passes upwardly between the basket device 26 and theballoon limitor 33 to form a balloon of yarn. The yarn Y is thenthreaded through yarn guide eyelet 40, over pre-take-up roll 42 and istraversed by traversing mechanism 43 onto the package roll 44 tocomplete its travel through the respective spindle assembly 10. As iswell understood by those with ordinary skill in the art, a two-for-onetwist is inserted in the yarn during the above noted path of travel.

If during the travel of the yarn, as noted above, the yarn Y breaks or anew supply package P of yarn Y is placed in the spindle assembly 10, twoseparated ends of yarn Y are formed which must be knotted or piecedtogether for continued operation of the spindle assembly 10. When theyarn Y passing through the spindle assembly 10 is thus broken orotherwise separated, the separated ends are so positioned that oneseparated end extends downwardly from the eyelet 40 and the otherseparated end of yarn Y extends upwardly from between the basket device26 and the balloon limitor device 33. Conventionally, a portable,manually operated yarn knotter mechanism would be brought into positionfor receiving the two separated ends of yarn Y and knotting themtogether.

In accordance with the present invention, an elongate, suction conduit50 mounted on a frame portion 51 of the two-for-one twister and extendsgenerally horizontally along the front of the spindle assemblies 10. Theconduit 50 is connected to a suitable source of suction (see FIG. 6) forcreating a negative air stream through the conduit 50. The conduit 50may be generally square in cross sectional configuration or may assumeother shapes, as desired.

The conduit 50 includes a plurality of apertures 52 in the top thereofin which one aperture is positioned at the front of each of the spindleassemblies 10. The plurality of apertures may constitute one continuousaperture.

A yarn knotter mechanism, generally indicated at 60, for knottingtogether two ends of broken or otherwise separated yarn is mounted onthe machine for generally horizontal movement along the suction conduit50 for positioning the knotter mechanism in front of a selected spindleassembly for a yarn knotting operation. The yarn knotter mechanism 60and its operation for knotting together two separated ends of yarn iswell understood by those with ordinary skill in the art and does notrequire detailed explanation herein for an understanding of the presentinvention Yarn knotter mechanisms are available from many commercialsources, e.g. Wildt Mellor Bromley Ltd, 82 Princess Street, ManchesterM. 16 WL, England.

In accordance with this invention, the yarn knotter mechanism 60 isprovided with a pneumatic threading mechanism comprising a duct 55extending around and over the top of the knotter mechanism and formingan air passageway therein. The duct includes a separator baffle 56separating the air passageway of the duct into two portions 57 and 58for the reception and passage of the separated ends of yarn Y in therespective portions 57 and 58. The air passageway portion 57 has an openlongitudinally oriented mouth portion 59 extending over the front of theknotter mechanism 60 for the reception of the separated end of yarnpassing upwardly from between the basket device 26 and the balloonlimitor device 33. The other passageway portion 57 includes a laterallyoriented opening 61 in the side thereof for the reception of the otherseparated end of yarn Y passing downwardly from the guide 40. The end ofyarn Y passing downwardly from the guide 40 is passed under guideshoulder 62 and over guide shoulders 63 and 64 to be received within thelateral opening 61 and into the passageway portion 58.

The lower or bottom end of the air passageway portions 57 and 58 of theduct 55 are open for mating engagement with the aperture 52 in the upperportion of the conduit 50 so that when the yarn knotter mechanism 60 ispositioned in front of a selected spindle assembly 10 the air passagewayportions 57 and 58 of the duct 55 will be in mating engagement with theaperture 52 for creating a suction or negative air stream through thepassageway portions 57 and 58 for sucking in the separated ends of yarnY into the open mouth 59 of the air passageway portion 57 and thelateral opening 61 of the air passageway portion 58 for automaticthreading of the yarn knotter mechanism 60 for a yarn knottingoperation.

In accordance with this invention, the conduit means 50 includes a flatbearing surface 70 along the top portion thereof in which the apertures52 are located. Means in the form of an elongate, flexible belt 71 ispositioned on the bearing surface 70 for covering the apertures 52 inthe conduit 50. The belt 70 is preferably a continuous belt in which theends thereof are secured to generally the ends of the conduit 50 byscrews 73 or other suitable securing arrangements.

The yarn knotter mechanism 60 is mounted for movement along the conduit50 on a carriage mechanism, generally indicated at 80. The carriagemechanism comprises a generally H-shaped frame member 81. The H-shapedframe member rotatably carries a pair of bearing rollers 83 and 84 bystub shafts 85 and 86 at the upper end thereof. These bearing rollers 83and 84 engage and move along the top surface of the belt 71 on thebearing surface 70 of the conduit 50. An other pair of bearing rollers88 and 89 are rotatably carried on the bottom ends of the H-shaped framemember 81 by stub shafts 90 and 91 and engage and move along the bottomof the conduit 50. The bearing surface 70 of the conduit 50 includesupwardly extending shoulders 93 on each side of the bearing surfacebetween which the bearing rollers 83 and 84 are guidingly positioned.

The carriage mechanism 80 further includes a plate 95 secured to theother side of the bearing rollers 83 and 84 and on which the yarnknotter mechanism 60 is suitably mounted for being carried by thecarriage mechanism 80. At the top of the plate 95 a third roller 98 ismounted by stub shaft 99 for rotation. As may be clearly seen in FIG. 4,the belt 71 passes under the bearing rollers 83 and 84 and upwardly andover the roller 98, so that as the carriage mechanism 80 is movedlinearly along the conduit 50, the rollers 83, 84 and 98 will engage andmove the belt 71 away from the bearing surface 70 of the conduit 50 andaway from the aperture 52 between the bearing rollers 83 and 84. As maybe also seen in FIG. 4, the portion of the duct 55 which is to matinglyengage the aperture 52 in the conduit 50 extends between the rollers 83and 84.

As shown in FIG. 5, suitable means may be provided for driving one orboth of the bearing rollers 83 and 84 selectively so that the carriage80 and yarn knotter mechanism 60 may be automatically moved along theconduit 50. As shown in FIG. 5, this drive means may include a motor 101which is suitably, selectively actuated by any electrical circuit orother means and is mounted on the carriage 80 by a bracket 102. Themotor 101 includes a shaft 103 which connects with or is integral withthe stub shaft 86 of the roller 84 and carries a pulley 104 thereon. Thepulley 104 carries a belt 105 which also passes around a pulley 106 onthe end of stub shaft 85 of roller 83.

Thus, it may be seen, that when the yarn Y becomes broken or otherwiseseparated, the yarn knotter mechanism 60 may be moved along the conduit50, either manually or by the drive mechanism illustrated in FIG. 5, toa selected spindle assembly. When the carriage mechanism and the yarnknotter mechanism 60 are p0- sitioned at the selected spindle assembly,the duct 55 of the pneumatic threading means for the yarn knottermechanism will be suitably positioned and mate with the uncoveredaperture 52 in the conduit 50 so as to establish a suction or negativeair stream through the passageway portions 56 and 57 of the duct 55. Theseparated ends of yarn Y may then be sucked or pulled into therespective air passageway portions 56 and 57 for automatically threadingthe yarn knotter mechanism for a knotting operation. Due to the factthat the flexible belt 71 covers the other apertures 52 in the conduit50, no loss of suction will occur in the conduit 50 at non-workinglocations.

Preferably, the two-for-one twister of this invention is equipped withan automatically controlled friction roll 45, in accordance with U.S.Pat. No. 3,565,356, issued Feb. 23, 19'71, and assigned to the assigneeof the present invention, and apparatus for stopping the spin dlemechanism in a predetermined position in accordance with U.S. Patentapplication, Ser. No. 264,816, filed June 21, 1972, now U.S. Pat. No.3,805,507, issued Apr. 23, 1974, and assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention. Both of these control mechanisms include, inter alia,electrical and mechanical control systems for stopping operation of thespindle mechanism and the take-up mechanism in predetermined positionswhen piecing up or knotting of broken yarns or doffing is required.

When the spindle assemblies 10 include these control means forselectively stopping and starting operation of the selective spindleassembly, it is preferable for each of the spindle assemblies 10 toinclude actuating means 110 suitably operatively connected with thesecontrol means. The actuating means 110 may be in the form of anelectrical switch 111 which includes an extending push rod 112. The yarnknotter mechanism 60 and carriage mechanism 80 also include acooperating actuating means in the form of a plunger 114 which extendsfrom the upper end thereof and is suitably mounted for vertical up anddown movement. When the carriage mechanism 80 and the yarn knottermechanism 60 are suitably positioned at a selected'spindle assembly, thecooperating actuating means 114 of the yarn knotter mechanism may bedepressed for engaging the rod 112 of the switch 111 and actuating thespindle assembly actuating means which in turn actuates the controlmeans of the above identified patent and patent application to stopoperation of the spindle assembly 10. Likewise, when the plunger 114 oractuating means of the yarn knotter mechanism is deactuated or raised,the actuating means 110 of the spindle assembly will be deactuated toactuate the control means of the above identified patent and patentapplication for starting operation of the spindle assembly 10.

Also, it is preferable in accordance with this invention for thetwo-forone twister machine to include pneumatically-operated yarnthreading mechanisms operatively associated with each spindle assembly10 for selectively threading a yarn through at least a portion of thespindle assembly upon actuation thereof. Such a pneumatically-operatedyarn threading mechanism for a two-for-one twister of this type isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,731,478, issued May 8, 1973 and assigned tothe assignee of the present invention. Reference may be had to thatpatent for disclosure of the operation of the pneumatically-operatedyarn threading mechanism. Generally, this mechanism includes, interalia, an ejector nozzle which causes a positive air stream to flowthrough the yarn passageway of the hollow axle 17 for sucking the yarnfrom the supply package P through the entry tube 30 and the passagewaywithin the hollow axle 17 and blowing the yarn out of the passageway inthe reserve disc 16 by a positive air stream. The air stream thenengages spoon shaped deflection guide surface 120 (see FIG. 3) whichdeflects the air stream and carries it and the yarn Y up through thespace between the basket device 26 and the balloon limitor 23 to bringthe end of the yarn in position for the knotting operation. At thisposition, the yarn would be received by the open mouth 59 of the duct 55of the yarn knotter mechanisms 60 and be drawn in by the negative airstream therethrough for threading of this end of separated yarn Ythrough the knotter mechanism 60. The pneumatically-operated yarnthreading mechanism of the spindle assembly 10, in accordance with theabove identified patent, includes suitable electrical or mechanicalcontrol means for starting and stopping operation thereof.

In accordance with the present invention. the actuating means 110 ofeach spindle assembly 10 is suitably operatively connected with thepneumatic threading mechanism of the above identified patent forstarting operation thereof when actuated by the actuating means 114 ofthe yarn knotter mechanism and for stopping operation thereof when theactuating means 114 is deactuated, which in turn deactuates theactuating means 110 of the selected spindle assembly 10 to stopoperation of the pneumatic threading means.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is schematically shown an alternativeform of the carriage mechanism 80 illustrated in FIGS. 16. In theembodiment of FIG. 7, the bearing rollers 83 and 84 are replaced by apair of bearing shoes 130 and 131. These shoes 130 and 131 are suitablymounted on a similar frame member 80 (not shown) as utilized in thecarriage arrangement of FIGS. 1-6. These bearing shoes are adapted toengage the upper surface of the belt 71 on the bearing surface of theconduit 50 and slide therealong for movement of the carriage and theyarn knotter mechanism 60. The upper roller 98 of the carriage mechanismof FIGS. 1-6 is replaced by a hollow, generally concave housing 132which is suitably secured to a similar plate on the back of the carriagemechanism and which may be closed on its front end to prevent anyunnecessary loss of suction through the uncovered aperture 52. Theportion of the duct 55 of the yarn knotter mechanism 60 which mates withthe uncovered aperture 52 extends within the concave housing 132 andbetween the bearing shoes and 131.

Referring now to a further modified form of apparatus according to thisinvention, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the upper roller 98 of theembodiment of FIGS. 1-6 is eliminated and a different arrangement of thebelt 71 is provided. Otherwise, the carriage mechanism 80 would be ofgenerally the same construction, as previously described.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the belt 71 is also secured by securingscrews 73 to generally the ends of the conduit 50 and extend inwardlyunder, around and over the bearing rollers 83 and 84 on the carriagemechanism 80 and then outwardly and around the ends of the conduit andunder the conduit. There are further provided a pair of rollers and 141suitably rotatably mounted by arms 142 at the ends of the conduit 50 sothat the belt 71 may pass therearound and under the conduit 50. Thus,with this arrangement of the belt 71, as the carriage mechanism 80 moveslinearly along the conduit 50, the apertures 52 between the bearingrollers 83 and 84 will be uncovered for mating engagement with the airpassageway portions of the duct 55 of the yarn knotter mechanism 60. Ifdesired, one of the rollers 140 or 141 may be suitably driven by a motor143, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 8.

In both of the embodiments of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 the bottom rollers 88and 89 of the carriage mechanism 80 may be utilized, or may be dispensedwith, as desired. Other than described above, the embodiments of FIGS. 7and 8 include all of the apparatus described above in connection withthe embodiment of FIGS. 1-6.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferredembodiments of the invention and, al-

though specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic anddescriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:

1. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinningframe or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies positionedin side-by-side relationship for the processing of yarn; the improvementof:

suction conduit means mounted on said machine and extending generallyhorizontally along the front of said spindle assemblies and having anegative air stream therethrough, said suction conduit means having aplurality of apertures along the length thereof with one of saidapertures being positioned at each of said spindle assemblies forcausing a suction through each of said apertures;

a yarn knotter mechanism for knotting together two ends of broken orotherwise separated yarn and including means mounting said knottermechanism on said machine for generally horizontal movement along saidsuction conduit means for positioning said knotter mechanism in front ofa selected said spindle assembly for a yarn knotting operation, saidmounting means comprising a carriage mechanism carrying said knottermechanism and mounted on said conduit means for movement therealong,said knotter mechanism further including suction threading means forminga part thereof for mating communication with said aperture of saidconduit means at said selected spindle assembly for creating a suctionthrough said knotter mechanism threading means by the negative airstream in said conduit means for pulling and threading the separatedyarn ends at said selected spindle assembly into and through saidknotter mechanism; and

continuous elongate flexible belt means covering said plurality ofapertures in said conduit means not in mating relation with said knottermechanism threading means to prevent loss of suction in said conduit andfor moving in cooperation with and by engagement of said knottercarriage mechanism for uncovering said aperture at said selected spindleassembly as said knotter mechanism is positioned by said carriagemechanism at said selected spindle assembly for allowing the matingcommunication between said uncovered aperture and said knottingmechanism threading means.

2. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, inwhich said conduit means includes a flat bearing surface on the topthereof in which said apertures are located and on which said belt ispositioned; said carriage means comprises a frame carrying said knottermechanism, a pair of bearing rollers rotatably carried by said frame andengaging and moving along the top of said belt on said bearing surfacefor linear movement of said carriage and said knotter mechanism alongsaid conduit, and a third roller carried by said carriage means mediallyand upwardly of said pair of bearing rollers for passing under said beltand lifting and moving said belt from said apertures as said carriagemoves along said bearing surface of said conduit; and the portion ofsaid knotter mechanism threading means mating with said aperture at saidselected spindle assembly being positioned on said carriage between saidbearing rollers and below said belt moving roller for mating with saiduncovered aperture.

3. In a textile yam processing machine, as set forth in claim 2,including selectively operable drive means connected with at least oneof said pair of bearing rollers for driving at least one of said pair ofsaid bearing rollers upon actuation thereof for moving said carriage andsaid knotter mechanism along said conduit. I

4. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, inwhich said conduit means includes a flat bearing surface on the topthereof in which said apertures are located and on which said belt ispositioned; said carriage means comprises a frame carrying said knottermechanism, a pair of bearing shoes carried by said frame and engagingand moving along the top of said belt on said bearing surface for linearmovement of said carriage and said knotter mechanism along said conduit,and a hollow generally concave housing carried by said carriage meansmedially of said pair of bearing shoes and extending upwardly from saidbelt for passing under said belt and lifting and moving said belt fromsaid apertures as said carriage moves along said bearing surface of saidconduit; and the portion of said knotter mechanism threading meansmating with said aperture at said selected spindle assembly beingpositioned on said carriage means between said bearing shoes and withinsaid hollow concave housing for mating with said uncovered aperture.

5. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, inwhich said conduit means includes a flat bearing surface on the topthereof in which said aper tures are located and on which said belt ispositioned; said carriage means comprises a frame carrying said knottermechanism, a pair of bearing rollers rotatably carried by said frame andengaging and moving along the top of said belt on said bearing surfacefor linear movement of said carriage and said knotter mechanism alongsaid conduit; said belt comprising a continuous length having two endsfixed at the ends of said conduit and extending inwardly from each endof said conduit along said bearing surface and over said apertures,under, around and over said bearing rollers and back around the ends ofsaid conduit and under said conduit so that as said carriage mechanismand said bearing rollers are moved linearly along said conduit said beltuncovers the aperture in said conduit between said bearing rollers; andthe portion of said knotter mechanism threading means mating with saidaperture at said selected spindle assembly being positioned on saidcarriage between said bearing rollers for mating with said uncoveredaperture.

6. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 5,further including a roller positioned at each end of said conduit andaround which said belt passes, and selectively operable drive meansconnected with and driving at least one of said last named rollers uponactuation thereof for moving said belt and therefore said carriage andsaid knotter mechanism to a selected spindle assembly.

7. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, inwhich said yarn processing machine includes control means operativelyconnected with each said spindle assembly means for selectively startingand stopping operation of said respective spindle assembly means, and inwhich each of said spindle assemblies includes actuating meansoperatively connected with the respective control means and in whichsaid knotter mechanism includes cooperating actuating means foractuating said selected spindle assembly actuating means for in turnactuating said control means to stop operation of said respectivespindle assembly for a yarn knotting operation.

8. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 7, inwhich said spindle assembly actuating means is responsive to deactuationof said knotter mechanism actuating means for actuating said controlmeans to start operation of said respective spindle assembly means foryarn processing operations.

9. ln a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, inwhich said yarn processing machine includes pneumatically-operated yarnthreading means operatively associated with each of said spindleassembly means for selectively threading a yarn end through at least aportion of each of said spindle assembly means upon actuation thereof,and in which each of said spindle assemblies includes actuating meansoperatively connected with said pneumatic threading means and in whichsaid knotter mechanism includes cooperating actuating means foractuating said selected spindle assembly actuating means for in turnactuating said pneumatic threading means for starting operation thereof.

10. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 9, inwhich said spindle actuating means is responsive to deactuation of saidknotter mechanism actuating means for actuating said pneumatic threadingmeans to stop operation of said respective pneumatic threading means.

11. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, inwhich said yarn knotter mechanism threading means comprises a ductforming an air pas sageway therein and mounted generally around and overthe top portion of said knotter mechanism, said duct including aseparator baffle in at least a portion thereof separating said duct intotwo portions for the reception and passage of the separated ends of yarnin the respective portions, one of said passageway portions having anopen longitudinally oriented mouth portion thereof for reception of oneof the separated yarn ends and the other portion of said passagewayhaving a laterally oriented opening therein for the reception of theother separated yarn ends.

12. Suction apparatus comprising in combination:

elongate, stationary, suction conduit means having a negative air streamtherethrough, said conduit means including a plurality of aperturesspaced along the length thereof for causing a suction through each ofsaid apertures;

a movable suction device including means mounting said suction device onsaid conduit means for movement therealong for selectively positioningsaid device at a selected one of said apertures and defining an airpassageway therein for mating communication with said selected apertureof said conduit means for creating a suction through said air 12passageway of said device by the negative air stream in said conduitmeans, said mounting means comprising a carriage mechanism carrying saidsuction device and mounted on said conduit means for movementtherealong; and

continuous elongate flexible belt means covering said plurality ofapertures in said conduit means not in mating relation with said suctiondevice to prevent loss of suction in said conduit and for moving incooperation with and by engagement of said suction device carriagemechanism for uncovering said selected aperture as said suction deviceis positioned by said carriage mechanism as said selected aperture forallowing the mating communication between said uncovered aperture andsaid air passageway of said suction device.

13. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinningframe or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies positionedin side-by side relationship for the processing of yarn; the improvementof suction conduit means mounted on said machine and extending generallyhorizontally along the front of said spindle assemblies and having anegative air stream therethrough, said suction conduit means having aplurality of apertures along the length thereof with one of saidapertures being positioned at each of said spindle assemblies forcausing a suction through each of said apertures;

a suction device including means mounting said suction device on saidmachine for generally horizontal movement along said suction conduitmeans for positioning said suction device in front of a selected saidspindle assembly for a working operation, said mounting means comprisinga carriage mechanism carrying said suction device and mounted on saidconduit for movement therealong, said suction device including meansforming a part thereof for mating communication with said aperture ofsaid conduit means at said selected spindle assembly for creating asuction through said suction device by the negative air stream in saidconduit means; and

continuous elongate flexible belt means covering said plurality ofapertures in said conduit means not in mating relation with said knottermechanism threading means to prevent loss of suction in said conduit andfor moving in cooperation with and by engagement of said suction devicecarriage mechanism for uncovering said aperture at said selected spindleassemblies as said suction device is positioned by said carriagemechanism at said selected spindle assembly for allowing the matingcommunication between said uncovered aperture and sa d suction device.

1. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as a twister, spinningframe or the like, having a plurality of spindle assemblies positionedin side-by-side relationship for the processing of yarn; the improvementof: suction conduit means mounted on said machine and extendinggenerally horizontally along the front of said spindle assemblies andhaving a negative air stream therethrough, said suction conduit meanshaving a plurality of apertures along the length thereof with one ofsaid apertures being positioned at each of said spindle assemblies forcausing a suction through each of said apertures; a yarn knottermechanism for knotting together two ends of broken or otherwiseseparated yarn and including means mounting said knotter mechanism onsaid machine for generally horizontal movement along said suctionconduit means for positioning said knotter mechanism in front of aselected said spindle assembly for a yarn knotting operation, saidmounting means comprising a carriage mechanism carrying said knottermechanism and mounted on said conduit means for movement therealong,said knotter mechanism further including suction threading means forminga part thereof for mating communication with said aperture of saidconduit means at said selected spindle assembly for creating a suctionthrough said knotter mechanism threading means by the negative airstream in said conduit means for pulling and threading the separatedyarn ends at said selected spindle assembly into and through saidknotter mechanism; and continuous elongate flexible belt means coveringsaid plurality of apertures in said conduit means not in mating relationwith said knotter mechanism threading means to prevent loss of suctionin said conduit and for moving in cooperation with and by engagement ofsaid knotter carriage mechanism for uncovering said aperture at saidselected spindle assembly as said knotter mechanism is positioned bysaid carriage mechanism at said selected spindle assembly for allowingthe mating communication between said uncovered aperture and saidknotting mechanism threading means.
 2. In a textile yarn processingmachine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said conduit means includes aflat bearing surface on the top thereof iN which said apertures arelocated and on which said belt is positioned; said carriage meanscomprises a frame carrying said knotter mechanism, a pair of bearingrollers rotatably carried by said frame and engaging and moving alongthe top of said belt on said bearing surface for linear movement of saidcarriage and said knotter mechanism along said conduit, and a thirdroller carried by said carriage means medially and upwardly of said pairof bearing rollers for passing under said belt and lifting and movingsaid belt from said apertures as said carriage moves along said bearingsurface of said conduit; and the portion of said knotter mechanismthreading means mating with said aperture at said selected spindleassembly being positioned on said carriage between said bearing rollersand below said belt moving roller for mating with said uncoveredaperture.
 3. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim2, including selectively operable drive means connected with at leastone of said pair of bearing rollers for driving at least one of saidpair of said bearing rollers upon actuation thereof for moving saidcarriage and said knotter mechanism along said conduit.
 4. In a textileyarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said conduitmeans includes a flat bearing surface on the top thereof in which saidapertures are located and on which said belt is positioned; saidcarriage means comprises a frame carrying said knotter mechanism, a pairof bearing shoes carried by said frame and engaging and moving along thetop of said belt on said bearing surface for linear movement of saidcarriage and said knotter mechanism along said conduit, and a hollowgenerally concave housing carried by said carriage means medially ofsaid pair of bearing shoes and extending upwardly from said belt forpassing under said belt and lifting and moving said belt from saidapertures as said carriage moves along said bearing surface of saidconduit; and the portion of said knotter mechanism threading meansmating with said aperture at said selected spindle assembly beingpositioned on said carriage means between said bearing shoes and withinsaid hollow concave housing for mating with said uncovered aperture. 5.In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in whichsaid conduit means includes a flat bearing surface on the top thereof inwhich said apertures are located and on which said belt is positioned;said carriage means comprises a frame carrying said knotter mechanism, apair of bearing rollers rotatably carried by said frame and engaging andmoving along the top of said belt on said bearing surface for linearmovement of said carriage and said knotter mechanism along said conduit;said belt comprising a continuous length having two ends fixed at theends of said conduit and extending inwardly from each end of saidconduit along said bearing surface and over said apertures, under,around and over said bearing rollers and back around the ends of saidconduit and under said conduit so that as said carriage mechanism andsaid bearing rollers are moved linearly along said conduit said beltuncovers the aperture in said conduit between said bearing rollers; andthe portion of said knotter mechanism threading means mating with saidaperture at said selected spindle assembly being positioned on saidcarriage between said bearing rollers for mating with said uncoveredaperture.
 6. In a textile yarn processing machine, as set forth in claim5, further including a roller positioned at each end of said conduit andaround which said belt passes, and selectively operable drive meansconnected with and driving at least one of said last named rollers uponactuation thereof for moving said belt and therefore said carriage andsaid knotter mechanism to a selected spindle assembly.
 7. In a textileyarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said yarnprocessing machine includes control means operatively connected witheach said spindle aSsembly means for selectively starting and stoppingoperation of said respective spindle assembly means, and in which eachof said spindle assemblies includes actuating means operativelyconnected with the respective control means and in which said knottermechanism includes cooperating actuating means for actuating saidselected spindle assembly actuating means for in turn actuating saidcontrol means to stop operation of said respective spindle assembly fora yarn knotting operation.
 8. In a textile yarn processing machine, asset forth in claim 7, in which said spindle assembly actuating means isresponsive to deactuation of said knotter mechanism actuating means foractuating said control means to start operation of said respectivespindle assembly means for yarn processing operations.
 9. In a textileyarn processing machine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said yarnprocessing machine includes pneumaticallyoperated yarn threading meansoperatively associated with each of said spindle assembly means forselectively threading a yarn end through at least a portion of each ofsaid spindle assembly means upon actuation thereof, and in which each ofsaid spindle assemblies includes actuating means operatively connectedwith said pneumatic threading means and in which said knotter mechanismincludes cooperating actuating means for actuating said selected spindleassembly actuating means for in turn actuating said pneumatic threadingmeans for starting operation thereof.
 10. In a textile yarn processingmachine, as set forth in claim 9, in which said spindle actuating meansis responsive to deactuation of said knotter mechanism actuating meansfor actuating said pneumatic threading means to stop operation of saidrespective pneumatic threading means.
 11. In a textile yarn processingmachine, as set forth in claim 1, in which said yarn knotter mechanismthreading means comprises a duct forming an air passageway therein andmounted generally around and over the top portion of said knottermechanism, said duct including a separator baffle in at least a portionthereof separating said duct into two portions for the reception andpassage of the separated ends of yarn in the respective portions, one ofsaid passageway portions having an open longitudinally oriented mouthportion thereof for reception of one of the separated yarn ends and theother portion of said passageway having a laterally oriented openingtherein for the reception of the other separated yarn ends.
 12. Suctionapparatus comprising in combination: elongate, stationary, suctionconduit means having a negative air stream therethrough, said conduitmeans including a plurality of apertures spaced along the length thereoffor causing a suction through each of said apertures; a movable suctiondevice including means mounting said suction device on said conduitmeans for movement therealong for selectively positioning said device ata selected one of said apertures and defining an air passageway thereinfor mating communication with said selected aperture of said conduitmeans for creating a suction through said air passageway of said deviceby the negative air stream in said conduit means, said mounting meanscomprising a carriage mechanism carrying said suction device and mountedon said conduit means for movement therealong; and continuous elongateflexible belt means covering said plurality of apertures in said conduitmeans not in mating relation with said suction device to prevent loss ofsuction in said conduit and for moving in cooperation with and byengagement of said suction device carriage mechanism for uncovering saidselected aperture as said suction device is positioned by said carriagemechanism as said selected aperture for allowing the matingcommunication between said uncovered aperture and said air passageway ofsaid suction device.
 13. In a textile yarn processing machine, such as atwister, spinning frame or the like, having a plurality of spindleassemblies Positioned in side-by-side relationship for the processing ofyarn; the improvement of suction conduit means mounted on said machineand extending generally horizontally along the front of said spindleassemblies and having a negative air stream therethrough, said suctionconduit means having a plurality of apertures along the length thereofwith one of said apertures being positioned at each of said spindleassemblies for causing a suction through each of said apertures; asuction device including means mounting said suction device on saidmachine for generally horizontal movement along said suction conduitmeans for positioning said suction device in front of a selected saidspindle assembly for a working operation, said mounting means comprisinga carriage mechanism carrying said suction device and mounted on saidconduit for movement therealong, said suction device including meansforming a part thereof for mating communication with said aperture ofsaid conduit means at said selected spindle assembly for creating asuction through said suction device by the negative air stream in saidconduit means; and continuous elongate flexible belt means covering saidplurality of apertures in said conduit means not in mating relation withsaid knotter mechanism threading means to prevent loss of suction insaid conduit and for moving in cooperation with and by engagement ofsaid suction device carriage mechanism for uncovering said aperture atsaid selected spindle assemblies as said suction device is positioned bysaid carriage mechanism at said selected spindle assembly for allowingthe mating communication between said uncovered aperture and saidsuction device.